Laminitus


Laminitus is a fever in the feet which is caused by intense congestion of the sensitive structures lining the walls of the hoof. It is a very serious disease and is very painful, as the foot cannot expand to allow for the swelling.

Ponies are particularly susceptible to laminitus.  If you are not sure if your equine has had this disease in the past, you can tell by the deep ridges around the hoof. If they have had it once already there is a good chance that they might get it again in the future.

It can affect just one hoof or all four, a good sign to look for is if your horse is standing on it's hells with its forefeet thrust forward and they will also be very reluctant to move.

However rich grass can cause the problem at any time of year and even frosty grass in the winter can damage the digestion in the gut so much that the wrong sort of bacteria start to multiply and release toxins.  If treated correctly the condition is managed there is no reason for you to panic.

But whatever the cause, it is extremely painful akin to us shutting our finger in a car door, ouch!



It can be caused by:
  • Too much lush grass, especially with rather rotund ponies
  • Too much carbohydrate and too little work.
  • Too  much trotting on the roads or fast work on hard ground
  • Distortion to the foot due to inadequate foot care
  • The sort of food that causes laminitis is rich young spring grass with high levels of fructans
  • Sudden ingestion of large amounts of cereal or concentrate feed. Large amounts of such rich food in the gut cause a lot of acid production and again encourage the growth of the wrong sort of bacteria
Treatment:
  • You must consult your vet as soon as you have any worries that your horse might be suffering from laminitus
  • If the cause is rich grass, the pony should be kept where you can monitor their food intake but also where he has room to exercise himself. Electric fencing is invaluable in these instances. But make sure the paddock  has little grass
  • Remember that you cannot starve him as this can cause liver damage
  • A diet based on meadow hay should suffice as it has little nutritional value
  • Most forms of laminitus will respond to the removal of the cause, as long as the attack is not too severe.
  • If the vet has advised box rest, make sure that they are on a deep bed of shavings to cushion his feet.
  • Try a feeding muzzle, these limit your horses intake of grass so can be turned out as normal with his friends, they can drink normally and just nibble at grass.
For more details and advice visit: http://www.laminitisclinic.org/

 




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